Abstract

Europe currently has some of the most valuable occupational, industrial, and population cohorts worldwide. However, in recent years there has been limited coordination and promotion of European health research on occupation and employment. OMEGA-NET is a COST Action (2017–2021) funded by the EU, currently involving researchers from 29 European countries and an increasing number of near neighbour and international partner countries. The overarching concept is to create a network to advance i) collaboration of existing cohorts, ii) coordination and harmonisation of exposure assessment, and iii) facilitation of an integrated research strategy for occupational health in Europe. As part of this work, OMEGA-NET is currently building an online searchable ‘Inventory of Occupational Cohorts’. We will inventory epidemiological, occupational, population, and registry-based cohorts with data on occupational exposures and health effects. The inventory will include cohorts with data that is potentially accessible; that have collected information on occupation and/or industry or at least one occupational exposure; and have at least one follow-up point with health outcomes. Cohorts will be identified through systematic searches and personal records. An initial search identified more than sixty cohorts including more than 40 million persons with information on occupation. Researchers responsible for the cohorts will be contacted and asked to complete a web-based questionnaire. An online searchable ‘Inventory of Occupational Cohorts’ database will be developed to make the information publicly accessible and to facilitate researcher and policy-maker access to information from past and ongoing cohort studies. Users will be able to search for specific exposures and outcomes and extract basic information on the methodology of the cohorts. The OMEGA-NET Inventory of Occupational Cohorts will be the most comprehensive inventory of occupational cohorts worldwide and is expected to enhance scientific output from individual studies, and facilitate pooled studies, data sharing, and more efficient use of existing cohorts.